Based on reporting from The Manila Times (July 15, 2025) by Allen Limos, summarizing findings presented by Dr. Ourland Tantengco from the Defeat HPV (D-HPV) Study, University of the Philippines Manila.
Part 1 – Article Re-Share (Source: The Manila Times, July 15, 2025)
A NEW study found that 1 in 7 women in the country are likely to test positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), a finding that challenges long-held assumptions about the types of HPV most prevalent among Filipinas.
Dr. Ourland Tantengco presented in Manila on Monday the findings from the Defeat HPV (D-HPV) Study, a comprehensive community-based research project that tracked over 1,100 women from both Tondo, Manila, and Naic, Cavite — representing both urban and rural populations.The goal is to update the country’s outdated HPV infection data, last collected in 1998.
Tantengco likened the usage of old data to using an old phone with modern apps, saying, “You can’t fight today’s public health threats with outdated data. Our study shows that the most common HPV genotype now is not what we’ve been preparing for. And that has major implications for vaccination and screening.”
The study, led by the University of the Philippines Manila, revealed that HPV type 52 — not the traditionally feared types 16 and 18 — is now the most common high-risk HPV strain found among women in these areas.
In Tondo, 15.1 percent of women tested positive for HPV, with over 23 percent of those infected carrying multiple genotypes — a factor known to increase cancer risk.
In Naic, 12.8 percent of women were infected, and one in four of them had multiple strains.Tantengco also pointed out that HPV 52 infections are rising among women with no signs of cervical abnormalities, suggesting the virus is silently circulating and may lead to cancers years later if left unaddressed.
In younger age groups, infection rates are particularly alarming. In women ages 30 and below, HPV prevalence reached up to 30 percent, with many showing signs of high-risk genotypes.
Initiatives by the Department of Health only offer free quadrivalent vaccines for ages 9 to 14. The vaccine only covers a few variants.
Tantengco said, “We need to protect the women who are infected by the other HPV genotypes,” referring to those at high risk for cervical cancer.Only the more advanced nonavalent vaccine offers some protection against it, but it remains costly and less accessible.
“If we’re still using vaccines that only protect certain genotypes of HPV, we’re leaving many Filipinas unprotected,” Tantengco warned. “We need to re-evaluate our vaccine strategy and make the broader-coverage vaccines available to the public.”Cervical cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Filipino women. Globally, 90 to 95 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV infection.
The Philippines, like many low- and middle-income countries, suffers from low screening rates and limited access to HPV DNA testing, which can cost between P5,000 and P10,000, well beyond the means of most Filipino women.
Part 2 – Commentary: Why This Matters for Every Filipina (and Every Family)
The D-HPV Study is a wake-up call. For years, HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention programs in the Philippines — and in many other countries — have focused primarily on HPV 16 and 18, the two types historically responsible for the largest share of cervical cancers worldwide. That focus made sense when those were the dominant threats and when earlier vaccines could only protect against a limited number of strains.
But data has changed. And when data changes, strategy must follow.
Key Shift: HPV 52 Is Now Leading in the Study Communities
The study shows HPV 52 emerging as the most common high-risk genotype among women sampled in Tondo (urban) and Naic (rural). This matters because:
- Many existing public-sector vaccination programs still rely on quadrivalent (4-strain) HPV vaccines (commonly called Gardasil 4), which protect against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
- HPV 52 is not included in the quadrivalent vaccine.
- Some limited cross-protection against non-vaccine oncogenic types (including 31, 33, 45, sometimes 52) has been observed in certain studies with earlier vaccines — but the protection is partial, inconsistent, and not reliable at the population level.
If HPV 52 is driving infection in your community, then relying on a vaccine that does not directly cover it is like wearing a raincoat with holes and hoping the weather stays dry.
Enter Gardasil 9: Direct Coverage of HPV 52 (and More)
Gardasil 9 (the nonavalent HPV vaccine) expands protection beyond 16 and 18 to include 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, in addition to the low-risk 6 and 11 that cause most genital warts. That means:
| Vaccine | HPV Types Covered | Includes HPV 52? | Approx Protection vs Cervical Cancers* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadrivalent (Gardasil 4) | 6, 11, 16, 18 | No | ~70% historically (varies) |
| Bivalent (Cervarix) | 16, 18 (+ some cross-protection) | No | ~70% historically (varies) |
| Nonavalent (Gardasil 9) | 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58 | Yes | ~90%+ of cervical cancers (model est.) |
*Model-based global estimates; actual protection depends on population genotype distribution and vaccination coverage.
Given the rise of HPV 52 in local Philippine data, Gardasil 9 offers a materially better match to current risk.
Part 3 – Cost Reality: Is Gardasil 9 Really “Too Expensive”? Let’s Compare.
A common barrier cited by families, clinics, and local governments is cost. But when you compare cost per dose with breadth of protection, the case for Gardasil 9 strengthens — especially in high-risk settings.
Approximate private-sector retail prices (ranges reported by community advocates and clinics; actual pricing varies by supplier, city, and procurement volume):
- Gardasil 4: ~₱3,500–₱4,000 per dose (3-dose schedule if >15 years; 2-dose schedule ages 9–14)
- Gardasil 9: ~₱7,500–₱10,000 per dose retail — but can often be accessed at substantially lower prices through advocacy networks, pooled procurement, NGO campaigns, LGU partnerships, or vaccination drives.
Now consider value:
- If HPV 52 is common and you receive a vaccine that does not include it, you may still require ongoing screening, possible treatment for precancerous lesions, or future medical costs.
- Expanded coverage today may prevent costlier interventions later — biopsies, LEEP, chemo-radiation.
- For younger adolescents (2-dose series), the total cost gap narrows when procured at negotiated rates.
Bottom Line: If you have a choice and can access it affordably, go straight to Gardasil 9. Cross-protection from Gardasil 4 is uncertain; direct coverage is better.
Part 4 – What Should Parents and Women Do Now?
If You’re a Parent of a Preteen (Ages 9–14)
- Check your barangay or school-based program. If only Gardasil 4 is offered and Gardasil 9 is unaffordable, still vaccinate — some protection (esp. 16/18) is far better than none.
- If your family can upgrade, ask your pediatrician or local women’s health clinic about Gardasil 9 availability.
If You’re 15 or Older and Not Yet Vaccinated
- You can still benefit from HPV vaccination, even if you are sexually active. Talk to a gynecologist or infectious disease specialist.
- If cost is a barrier, explore pooled events, NGO drives, and regional procurement programs.
